Behind the scenes at Candlestick Park

January 8, 2013 2:33 PM

Photo: Jason Henry/Special To The Chronicle

Image 1of/21

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 21

To prepare for a game, Gold Rush team captain Melissa practices several days a week on her own and meets with the squad the day before the game for a six to seven hour rehearsal. Being able to perform in front of 64,000 49er faithful is indescribable, she says. (Michelle Le / Special to the Chronicle) less

To prepare for a game, Gold Rush team captain Melissa practices several days a week on her own and meets with the squad the day before the game for a six to seven hour rehearsal. Being able to perform in front ... more

Melissa joined the Gold Rush Cheerleaders three years ago and was chosen as captain in her second season. The girls on the squad look up to her both off the field and on. (Michelle Le / Special to the Chronicle) less

Melissa joined the Gold Rush Cheerleaders three years ago and was chosen as captain in her second season. The girls on the squad look up to her both off the field and on. (Michelle Le / Special to the ... more

Photo: Michelle Le, Michelle Le/ Special To The Chro

Melissa joined the Gold Rush Cheerleaders three years ago and was... Photo-4001689.54853 - SFGate

Image 3 of 21

Leading a squad of 32 girls through a 10-hour game day filled with 42 different memorized routines all performed in three inch heels, Melissa steps up to her leadership role as team captain. (Michelle Le / Special to the Chronicle) less

Leading a squad of 32 girls through a 10-hour game day filled with 42 different memorized routines all performed in three inch heels, Melissa steps up to her leadership role as team captain. (Michelle Le / ... more

Photo: Michelle Le, Michele Le/ Special To The Chron

Leading a squad of 32 girls through a 10-hour game day filled with... Photo-4001690.54853 - SFGate

Image 4 of 21

Members of the ground crew carry a large stencil across the field, which is used for painting the yard line numbers. Along with painting, the grounds crew mows the field almost daily during season.

Members of the ground crew carry a large stencil across the field, which is used for painting the yard line numbers. Along with painting, the grounds crew mows the field almost daily during season.

Photo: Michael Short, Special To The Chronicle

Members of the ground crew carry a large stencil across the field,... Photo-4001692.54853 - SFGate

Image 5 of 21

Head painter John Foote uses spray machine to paint the logo on the 50 yard line at the center of the field. The grounds crew is busy at work the day before the game painting the field in black, white, red and gold. less

Head painter John Foote uses spray machine to paint the logo on the 50 yard line at the center of the field. The grounds crew is busy at work the day before the game painting the field in black, white, red and ... more

Photo: Michael Short, Special To The Chronicle

Head painter John Foote uses spray machine to paint the logo on the... Photo-4001695.54853 - SFGate

Image 6 of 21

Players warm up at on the freshly painted field.

Players warm up at on the freshly painted field.

Photo: Luanne Dietz, The Chronicle

Players warm up at on the freshly painted field. Photo-4001696.54853 - SFGate

Image 7 of 21

Teontee Guster, along with a group of friends he met through vending, carpool from Stockton each game with hopes of selling enough to bring home a good profit. Since a portion of his earnings come from commissions, Teontee takes few or no breaks in pursuit of a greater pay out. less

Teontee Guster, along with a group of friends he met through vending, carpool from Stockton each game with hopes of selling enough to bring home a good profit. Since a portion of his earnings come from ... more

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

Teontee Guster, along with a group of friends he met through... Photo-4001698.54853 - SFGate

Image 8 of 21

As the youngest in his group of vendor friends and a father to two small children, Teontee Guster goes into each game with extra motivation. People say you can't find a job that you like, but I found a job that I like; it's just not a real, 100% job, he says. less

As the youngest in his group of vendor friends and a father to two small children, Teontee Guster goes into each game with extra motivation. People say you can't find a job that you like, but I found a job that ... more

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

As the youngest in his group of vendor friends and a father to two... Photo-4001699.54853 - SFGate

Image 9 of 21

Teontee Guster navigates narrow walkways and steep steps to bring sweet lemonade to wanting fans. It ain't an easy job and by far is not easy walking up and down the stairs with all that lemonade and cotton candy, he says. But the more you sell, the rack does get lighter. less

Teontee Guster navigates narrow walkways and steep steps to bring sweet lemonade to wanting fans. It ain't an easy job and by far is not easy walking up and down the stairs with all that lemonade and cotton ... more

Keelan Tobia, center, leads the Niner Noise around Candlestick as they pep up the crowd before the game. Keelan, 21, is the reigning world champion snare drum soloist. The Modesto-native joined the line in 2007 as a sophomore in high school. less

Keelan Tobia, center, leads the Niner Noise around Candlestick as they pep up the crowd before the game. Keelan, 21, is the reigning world champion snare drum soloist. The Modesto-native joined the line in 2007 ... more

Keelan Tobia puts on his uniform on the bus before performing for fans. A typical day for the Niner Noise starts about six hours before kickoff north of the city where they load up their instruments and head to the Stick. less

Keelan Tobia puts on his uniform on the bus before performing for fans. A typical day for the Niner Noise starts about six hours before kickoff north of the city where they load up their instruments and head to ... more

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

Keelan Tobia puts on his uniform on the bus before performing for... Photo-4001703.54853 - SFGate

Image 13 of 21

Keelan Tobia and the Niner Noise hype up the crowd with dancing and antics during the game. Set to sounds of snare drums and cymbals, Keelan knows how to get the crowd going.

Keelan Tobia and the Niner Noise hype up the crowd with dancing and antics during the game. Set to sounds of snare drums and cymbals, Keelan knows how to get the crowd going.

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

Keelan Tobia and the Niner Noise hype up the crowd with dancing and... Photo-4001704.54853 - SFGate

Image 14 of 21

Keelan Tobia makes his way out of Candlestick Park towards the bus to pack up and head back home. After an almost 10-hour day, Keelan and his drum line are still in good spirits, because they love what they do.

Keelan Tobia makes his way out of Candlestick Park towards the bus to pack up and head back home. After an almost 10-hour day, Keelan and his drum line are still in good spirits, because they love what they do.

Photo: Jason Henry, Special To The Chronicle

Keelan Tobia makes his way out of Candlestick Park towards the bus... Photo-4001705.54853 - SFGate

Image 15 of 21

To pull off a game day fan stunt, there are many moving parts. In honor of Veterans Day, Bay Area JROTC students lead the fans in a stunt that has everyone looking through slots of red, white and blue.

To pull off a game day fan stunt, there are many moving parts. In honor of Veterans Day, Bay Area JROTC students lead the fans in a stunt that has everyone looking through slots of red, white and blue.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

To pull off a game day fan stunt, there are many moving parts. In... Photo-4001706.54853 - SFGate

Image 16 of 21

At the end of the first quarter in a scene made for TV, fans of all ages reached for their cardboard colored squares and became a piece of the bigger puzzle. Spelling out Thank You Veterans and Thank You Military, fans sported a cardboard flag and united respect. less

At the end of the first quarter in a scene made for TV, fans of all ages reached for their cardboard colored squares and became a piece of the bigger puzzle. Spelling out Thank You Veterans and Thank You ... more

Photo: Wes Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

At the end of the first quarter in a scene made for TV, fans of all... Photo-4001707.54853 - SFGate